Reditus

by Mary M Wallace

“Sawyer?” she asked, exaggerated shock in her voice. “Sawyer Williams? Small, blonde, deadly? That Sawyer?” Rowan shot her a grin.

  “Oh yeah,” he said, nodding. “I used to tease her about it. Called her a nerd.” He gave a tilt of his head. “Then she’d make fun of my glasses. Turned out she became the field agent and I ended up in ops with the books and computers.”

  Bree studied Rowan as he talked. She thought he sounded wistful, but not resentful about the fact that he wasn’t in the field. “You and Sawyer are pretty close, huh?” she asked.

  Rowan took another sip of his coffee and nodded. “Oh, definitely,” he said. “We always have been.” Noticing Bree’s thoughtful expression, his eyes widened. “Oh no!” he laughed. “Not like that. She’s my sister,” he said.

  Bree was shocked again. Sawyer had a brother? She’d never mentioned her family. She hadn’t introduced him as her brother last night.

  Rowan tilted his head from one side to the other. “Well, adopted sister, I guess,” he said. “She lost both her parents when she was 6. I was 10. My dad and her dad were really close so he brought her here to live with us.”

  Bree wondered why Sawyer hadn’t mentioned any of this to them over the past couple of months. They’d spent so much time together and yet she felt she barely knew the other woman. Now was her chance to find out more. Sawyer was so close–lipped about herself, but Rowan didn’t seem to have that same reticence. “How old is Sawyer?” she asked.

  “She’ll be twenty–three in a couple months,” Rowan answered. Bree nodded. “She’s been a field agent since she was around sixteen, I think.” He looked at her with a thoughtful expression. “Did she tell you anything about herself?”

  Bree shook her head and turned to look at Rowan. “Not much, actually. She’s kind of hard to get to know,” she said. Rowan turned his attention back to where he was walking for a moment. His brow was drawn low behind his glasses when he turned back to Bree.

  “She’s always been kind of quiet,” he said, his voice losing the playful tone. “Serious. She doesn’t let many people in. But she’s worth getting to know, if she’ll let you.” Bree was touched by the protective nature of Rowan’s words.

  Bree said, “I don’t know her very well. When I first met her, I wasn’t sure I even liked her.” Rowan barked a laugh and Bree answered it with one of her own. “But I’ve seen her say and do things that have changed my mind. She kept us alive when we would have been killed without her. I can see that she’s a good person, deep down.” Rowan nodded his agreement.

  He leaned closer and said in a confidential tone, “Sometimes really deep down.” They both laughed. They were still laughing when they turned the corner and came face–to–face with Declan. He looked from Bree to Rowan, a look of curiosity written on his face.

  “Declan!” Bree said, still smiling. “Hey. I knocked this morning but I guess you were already gone.” Declan tamped down the twinge of jealousy he felt at seeing Bree and Rowan laughing together. He had no right to be jealous. He and Bree were just friends. He flashed a smile to the rest of group.

  “Good morning,” he said. “I was actually coming to Medical to see if you were going crazy yet, Jon.”

  Jon chuckled but it was Rylee who answered him, “It was a close call. He’s a terrible patient.” When everyone laughed, Jon rolled his eyes with a smile.

  “Laugh it up,” he said. “You should have seen Bree when she had the flu. Talk about annoying.”

  Bree conceded the point with an eyeroll of her own. Declan couldn’t help but notice how much Jon’s mannerisms were reflected in Bree. He was grateful all over again that Jon was okay.

  Bree turned to Declan. “Have you had breakfast yet?” she asked him.

  Declan shook his head. “Just coffee,” he said.

  “Lucky!” she said with a heartfelt sigh. “Show me the way to the caffeine.”

  As they made their way to the elevators, Jon and Rylee moved up to walk beside Rowan who was asking them questions about a mission they’d been on together before they’d left. Bree still found it strange to think about her parents having lived a whole other life here in this place that she had no knowledge of. Part of her wanted to hear every detail, but another part of her wanted to pretend it didn’t exist. It was the same part of her that wished she could make everything go back to the way it was before. Before she’d known about Praetorians and Ephraim. Before she’d been attacked by Benson. Before she’d met Declan. She stopped that line of thinking and looked over to the man walking beside her. No. She didn’t want to go back to a time when she didn’t know him. Although it had only been a short time, Bree couldn’t picture her life without him in it. That thought was both scary and exciting. Declan looked over and caught her studying him.

  He smiled, “What?”

  Bree shook her head and smiled, turning to look ahead. “Nothing,” she said. “I was just thinking of how much things have changed since I met you that night.” Glancing back at Declan, she saw one side of his mouth quirk up in a half smile.

  “No kidding,” he said. “It’s a whole new world, isn’t it?” He turned to look at her.

  Bree reached out a hand to touch his arm. “I’m sorry,” she said softly.

  “For what?” he asked, confusion in his eyes.

  Bree gestured at the walls around them. “All of this,” she said. “Everything. I know this isn’t what you had planned for your life.”

  Declan abruptly stopped walking and turned to face her. Bree couldn’t read his expression but there was something in his eyes that made her stop walking too and give him all her attention.

  “Bree, listen,” he said in a quiet but firm voice. “I told you we were in this together and I meant it. Whatever happens from here on out, I’m not going anywhere. I know things are crazy right now and we don’t know what’s going to happen next. Even still, I wouldn’t go back and change things.” The intensity of his words took her by surprise and Bree didn’t know what to say in reply. Hadn’t she just had the same thought?

  The moment stretched out between them, neither of them speaking. Declan’s gaze slid down to Bree’s mouth and he found himself remembering how it felt to have her lips on his. Part of him longed to kiss her again even though he knew he shouldn’t. Her hand, still on his upper arm, tightened its grip. Declan focused on the feel of her hand on the bare skin of his arm just below his shirt sleeve. He marveled at how even that innocent touch could send a jolt through him. She moved slightly closer to him and he felt his will deteriorating. He forgot why he should keep his distance. He forgot where they were. He forgot that her parents were a short distance away and could see them if they just turned around. Her lips were so close. He had only to lean down slightly and he’d be able to cover her mouth with his.

  Bree’s heart was racing. She’d been waiting for this for so long, it seemed. She dreamt of him night after night, always waking up feeling alone. She longed to close the distance between them but a small voice in her head told her to wait. To let him come to her. She didn’t want to feel that sting of rejection again. She remained still, her hand on his arm, her eyes lingering on his mouth, willing him to come closer. Just a little closer.

  “You guys gonna stand here, blocking the hallway all day or what?” Sawyer. Her surly voice cut through the silence between them, dispelling the mood. Bree jerked her hand from Declan’s arm, her fingers closing in a tight fist. She turned to face Sawyer, pasting a bright smile on her face. Ignoring the rapid pounding of her heart, she swallowed and took a deep breath.

  “Good morning, sunshine,” Bree said, her words at complete odds with her sarcastic tone. Sawyer grunted a reply as she approached them. Bree took in a shaky breath and met Declan’s eyes briefly.

  Declan didn’t know whether to be grateful for Sawyer’s interruption or disappointed by it. He took a moment to collect himself before he turned to greet her. “Good morning,” he said. They turned and walked together to where Rowan, Jon and Rylee stood, waiting for
the elevator.

  Chapter 9

  The cafeteria reminded Bree of junior high school. People stood in lines, pushing trays along and pointing out the food they wanted. The food looked and smelled far more appealing, however and the people serving it seemed much more pleasant than the lunch ladies she remembered. They carried their food to the attached dining hall to eat. The dining hall was filled with rows of tables with chairs but it was far from the utilitarian look Bree had expected. Instead of industrial tile and Formica, everything was made of rich wood. The accounts she’d heard from her parents and Sawyer had made the compound sound almost like a military camp. It didn’t look nearly as rigid as she’d been expecting. People sat in small groups at various tables, eating, talking and laughing. There were no uniforms. People were dressed casually, most in jeans, some in athletic clothes.

  Halfway through the meal, Bree saw Sawyer’s fork falter on its way to her mouth before she seemed to catch herself. Her eyes had appeared to briefly snag on something behind Bree and she quickly looked back to her plate. A moment later, Rowan who was seated beside Sawyer gave a wave and smile to someone behind her. Bree turned slightly and saw Corbin approaching from the other side of the room. Sawyer seemed to be actively not looking in his direction. Bree didn’t comment on this but she wondered why the two of them seemed so ill at ease with one another. Her curiosity was rising to the forefront, but she tamped down the urge to ask questions. She knew Sawyer would probably bite her head off for asking, and she didn’t know Corbin at all. Rowan might tell her, but his loyalty to Sawyer might prevent it. Anyway, now was not the time. Bree pushed the thought aside and greeted Corbin with a smile.

  “Good morning everyone,” he said, taking a moment to meet everyone’s gaze. Bree watched his eyes flit quickly past Sawyer, almost as if she weren’t there. When the greetings were finished, he said, “Conrad wanted me to gather you all for a meeting in the conference room in a half hour.”

  Bree looked over at her parents’ worried expressions and wondered what Conrad might want to discuss with all of them. Rowan only raised an eyebrow at Corbin and gave a nod. He seemed to have expected this message. Sawyer was focusing all her attention on her fork which was busy slowly pushing scrambled eggs around her plate. Rowan swallowed the food in his mouth before saying, “We have time if you want to join us for breakfast, Corbin. Pull up a chair.”

  Corbin’s mouth turned up slightly at the corners, but his gray eyes remained cold as he answered. “Thanks, but I already ate. I’ll see you at the meeting.” His voice was deep and seemed to hold no emotion as he spoke. His bearing was slightly intimidating to Bree. This morning he was wearing jeans and a white t–shirt, but he had the same commanding presence that she’d sensed last night when he was in full combat gear. She wondered how some people just seemed to exude that sort of confidence without appearing to try. As he walked away, Bree turned her attention back to Sawyer who had pushed away her half–eaten plate of food, apparently finished eating. She seemed so far off from the cocky, self–assured bad ass she’d been only a day earlier. Bree wondered if coming back here was what caused the change in Sawyer. She thought it more likely that Corbin was the reason.

  The six of them entered the conference room together. Corbin was already seated at the massive table. They filed in and took their seats, greeting him. Sawyer, once again chose a seat far from his. Bree pretended not to notice. They didn’t have to wait long for Conrad to join them. He flashed them all a pleasant smile as he entered the room and said, “Good morning everyone. Thank you all for meeting with me. I hope you got settled into your quarters okay last night.” They all smiled and nodded in response.

  He remained standing, pushing his hands into the pockets of his black slacks. Bree thought he looked less strained than he had the night before, his face more relaxed. His white button–down was pristine and free of any wrinkles. His dark hair, speckled with silver strands was combed back from his face. He looked around the room at each person seated there, his eyes seeming to linger slightly longer on Jon and Rylee before moving on to Bree and then Declan.

  Finally, he spoke. “We're all happy to have you stay with us for as long as you need. We can keep you safe from Ephraim and his army. You’re also free to leave if or when you decide. That choice is yours.” He paused, looking down at his feet for a moment before going on. “The council has made a recommendation and I'm obligated to suggest it to you.”

  Bree thought he looked uncomfortable. She glanced over to see Rylee wearing an expression that was devoid of emotion, but she thought she detected a flash of anger in her mother's eyes. She turned back to face Conrad, curious now.

  “It's no great secret that this war has cost everyone a lot,” Conrad said, his tone serious. “There isn't a person in this compound who hasn't lost someone.” His brow furrowed, he looked directly at Corbin and then to Sawyer. “Over the last year, your team has suffered great losses.” Bree heard Rowan’s sharp intake of breath and wondered at it. She glanced over at him but he seemed to be studying his fingernails with great concern. Conrad said, “The council's proposal is for Bree and Declan to join your team, Corbin.” Bree’s gaze shot to Declan. He’d already turned to look at her. Neither spoke as several voices rang out at once.

  “Absolutely not,” came Jon's voice.

  “They're not ready,” this was Sawyer.

  “That's not a good idea,” Corbin said in a calm, but firm voice.

  “I don’t think so,” Rylee said.

  Conrad waited until everyone quieted before he spoke again. “With all due respect, Mr. and Mrs. Warren, the decision isn't yours.” He turned to Bree and Declan who were still looking at one another. Declan gave her a tilt of his head with raised brows as if to say, “Your call”. She gave a tiny shrug in response. His lips curved into a half smile. Bree knew that whatever they decided, it would be together. She didn't turn to look at her parents’ faces before she turned back to Conrad.

  “Tell us more,” she said, ignoring the audible sigh she heard from her father.

  Conrad gave a small smile and said, “I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Things have only gotten worse over the last 20 years.” He glanced at Rylee and Jon before looking back at Bree. “We’ve lost a lot of people. Some have been killed on missions but others have just disappeared. Some we assume left but others we’re not sure. Over the last year, more and more agents have gone MIA, not only from this compound, but from others as well. We haven’t been able to piece together Ephraim’s plan, but we assume the missing agents are a part of it.” Bree felt a shiver of fear snake up her spine as she wondered what purpose Ephraim might have for kidnapping Praetorians. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

  “You both need more combat training,” Conrad went on. “Sawyer and Corbin have worked together for years, but you two are new to all this. Before any kind of active mission, the four of you would need to spend more time learning to work together as a team. Gwynn would oversee your training and she'd be the one to sign off on your field ready status. This is a war without a clear end in sight. I need you to know what you’re signing up for.”

  “Hell of a recruitment speech,” Rowan muttered sarcastically.

  Corbin’s voice broke in now. “I've been an active agent for years, Conrad,” he said angrily. “Now I'm getting bumped down to JV?”

  Conrad turned his attention to Corbin. “Half your team is gone, Teague,” his voice was calm and firm, but his eyes held a note of sympathy. “You almost died. You've been out of the game for a while and you're not flying solo. You need a team and two agents do not equal a team. Like it or not, those are the facts.” Bree wondered about the half of his team who were gone. She looked at Sawyer who sat rigid, staring straight ahead at nothing. Then she looked at Rowan who seemed to be staring at his shoes, his jaw clenched tightly. She felt a ball of nerves tighten in her gut. Was she ready to willingly put herself in harm’s way to help stop Ephraim? Up until now, she’d been thrown into situations, forced to f
ight back or be killed. Whatever happened next, it was her choice.

  Corbin seemed to have more to say, but kept quiet. Bree could see a muscle twitch in his jaw. She felt Rylee's hand on her arm and turned to face her mother. “You don't have to do this,” Rylee said quietly, her eyes pleading. “No one can make you fight in this war.” Even as she heard the words, Bree knew her mother was wrong. There was no way she could stand by and let others fight and die knowing that she could possibly help.

  “Mom,” she said softly, her eyes silently imploring her mother to understand what she couldn't say.

  Rylee's eyes closed briefly. When she opened them, there was a determined look in them. She turned to face Conrad. “If our daughter is fighting, we are too,” she said in a voice that brooked no argument. Jon reached over and took Rylee's hand in his, giving a nod of agreement. Conrad acknowledged them with a dip of his head before he turned back to Bree and Declan.

  Declan was looking at Bree when he spoke for the first time since the meeting had begun. “We're in this together,” he said.

  Bree felt the familiar flutter in her chest as she turned and looked in his blue–green eyes. “Together,” she said. She realized she hadn’t asked him what he wanted to do. She’d made her decision without thinking of what he might want. She felt a weight lift when she realized that Declan was going to stay and fight too. She knew she could have gone on if he’d opted to leave, but the idea of having him near was comforting. She gave him a grateful smile. He dipped his head in a small nod and returned the smile.

  Conrad looked pleased with their decision. Sawyer still wore the emotionless mask that Bree was used to seeing on her face. Corbin looked angry, but that was nothing new in Bree’s experience. He seemed to always be angry when Sawyer was around. Rowan wore a thoughtful expression and Bree thought his eyes held a touch of sadness that hadn’t been there before. Finally looking at her parents, Bree thought they looked resigned and maybe a little angry. She knew they wanted her out of the fight, but they also knew that she was stubborn when she made up her mind to do something. She’d decided to join this fight and they weren’t going to change her mind.